Funding & Finance

For the first time, Australian exporters will be eligible to claim IP expenses under Austrade's Export Market Development Grant Program (EMDG).

For the first time, Australian exporters will be eligible to claim IP expenses under Austrade's Export Market Development Grant Program (EMDG).

Historically, the marketing budget is the first to get cut back when companies feel the squeeze. As Darwinian principles take effect, the unprepared marketer...

Today, our Government Grants specialist, Adrian Spencer, considers the post-Budget winners and losers. Looking for a Government Grant? Here's your cheat sheet.

Following on from his first report plotting the impact of the closure of Commercial Ready Grants on Australian innovation, Nick McNaughton provides his assessment of the 2009 Budget and looks specifically at the impact of the announcements relating to the improved R&D Tax Concession and the introduction of the Commonwealth Commercialisation Institute (CCI).

So how did 'The Great Recession' on Monday become "The Great Recovery' by Friday? Well it didn't, but in between the beginning and end of the week, we did have a remarkable run of good data to boost our spirits (such evidence is now better known as 'green shoots' after US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke used the term to describe a positive run of data showing signs of a possible recovery).

In today’s information highway, there is no shortage of advice on how to invest in the stock market, but very limited information on how to invest in private companies. The only way you can really get out of a private investment is when there is a liquidity event, such as a trade sale or IPO. This may take years, if it happens at all, so there are certain steps you should take prior to investing in your neighbour’s ‘exciting new venture that’s sure to go global’.

How do businesses determine their price to customers?

Sometimes the hardest thing in business is not finding customers; it is being paid for the product or service you provide. As Australia's economy slows, the average age of accounts receivable is stretching many smaller and emerging businesses to almost breaking point.

Last week, we posted the first in a series of video excerpts from a panel discussion at the 2009 Anthill Smart 100 Awards, held in April at Digital Harbour in Melbourne's docklands. We received lots of positive feedback about Liesl Capper's insights on innovation and commercialisation in Australia, but it turns out you are an impatient bunch. So here we're posting the introductory insights of all five members of our master innovator panel - Ryan Trainor, Campbell Rose, Janine Kirk, Liesl Capper and Tim Pethick. We'll post part two – a more free form discussion – next week.

Last week, we posted the first in a series of video excerpts from a panel discussion at the 2009 Anthill Smart 100 Awards, held in April at Digital Harbour in Melbourne's docklands. We received lots of positive feedback about Liesl Capper's insights on innovation and commercialisation in Australia, but it turns out you are an impatient bunch. So here we're posting the introductory insights of all five members of our master innovator panel - Ryan Trainor, Campbell Rose, Janine Kirk, Liesl Capper and Tim Pethick. We'll post part two – a more free form discussion – next week.

It wasn't so long ago that Angel investing in Australia was considered to be disorganised and largely anonymous. Last week, the Australian Angel investor movement...

Although there is much investment capital available in Australia, raising it can be a tough road for entrepreneurs, particularly for early-stage or start-up companies....

Nearly 12 months after the Federal Government's surprise decision to axe the popular Commercial Ready Grant Scheme, Nick McNaughton embarked on a mission - to plot the impact of its closure on Australian innovation. In his first report, McNaughton heads to the coal-face, seeking feedback from those most affected by the cut - technology developers and members of the early-stage investment community.

A highlight of the 2009 Smart 100 Awards was a panel discussion focused on What and Who Drives Innovation in Australia. In this video excerpt, Liesl Capper, founder of MyCyberTwin.com, shares her thoughts on the current market, investors and customers.

In an effort to secure required development funds and a way forward, open source media software platform Miro today announced its revised business model: adopt a line of the software's code.

In an effort to secure required development funds and a way forward, open source media software platform Miro today announced its revised business model: adopt a line of the software's code.

Stimulus is in the air, and not just in the form of optimistic government handouts.

Your goal in these challenging times is to keep focusing on how you can generate more income for your business. Keep asking yourself: "Is this the best use of my time? Is this going to generate more money for my business?" If it is not, stop doing it, or outsource it.

Last year I was enlightened by a friend about the 3 Fs of work - Fun, Fame or Fortune. This lady is a brilliant...